THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 19, 1996 TAG: 9605180036
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E5 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: TRAVEL-WISE
SOURCE: STEPHEN HARRIMAN
LENGTH: Long : 111 lines
CARNIVAL CRUISE Lines announced that it will now guarantee you'll have fun on its ``Fun Ships,'' or the company will refund your airfare and a prorated portion of the cruise cost.
The small print: the offer is valid on cruises from Aug. 8 through Nov. 22, and passengers must notify the ship's purser of their desire to leave before the first port of call. Carnival will reimburse the cost of a coach airline ticket to the port of embarkation, as well as the prorated cruise cost.
Carnival President Bob Dickinson said the campaign is geared toward attracting first-time cruise passengers. ``Before, people who didn't take a cruise said, `What if I don't like it? I'm stuck for a week,' '' Dickinson said. ``Now if they don't like it, they can bail out.''
For those of you who haven't cruised before, your window of decision is most likely to be a brief one. Most cruises embark in the late afternoon and arrive at the first port of call early the next day. HIT THE ROAD
``Great Vacation Drives'' includes 12 ``glorious American getaways,'' six fun side trips for business travelers and a list of the nation's Hot Spots & Cool Stops. Published by U.S. News & World Report, the $4.95 guide is available at newsstands and book stores (or by phone at 800-836-6397, Ext. 5960; add $4 for shipping). ECONOMY FAVORITES
The trade publication Hotels, in conjunction with its sister publication Restaurants & Institutions, recently surveyed 2,849 U.S. households for their favorite hotel chains in various categories. The favorites in the economy category:
1. Days Inn of America
2. Comfort Inn/Suites
3. Motel 6
4. Econo Lodge
5. Hampton Inn
6. Super (tie)
6. Travelodge (tie)
8. La Quinta
9. Red Roof
10. Holiday Inn Express BARGAIN EUROPE
New Frontiers, the U.S. division of a French tour company, is touting summer charter flights between New York and Paris from $219 one-way, New York and Rome or Milan from $279 one-way, and New York and Lyon from $259 one-way. It also has some decent deals on lodging and car rentals for independent travelers. Info: a local travel agent or (800) 366-6387.
FinnWay, Inc. is offering five-day ``Scandinavian Summer Specials'' to Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo or Helsinki at rates from $849, including round-trip Finnair flights from New York. Info: a local travel agent or (800) 526-4927.
A new bus service called Cityzap is offering luxury coach connections between London, Paris and Amsterdam at economical rates - $49 one-way, $86 round-trip between any two of three cities. Going among all three is $135, or $100 per person if two or more book before leaving the U.S. Schedule: two trips daily, one at night, one in the day. ( By comparison, BritRail quoted a one-way Eurostar rail ticket between London and Paris, undiscounted on a weekday in July, at $129.) Cityzap info: (800) 430-9070. ISLAND HOPPING
For people who can't decide which Caribbean destination to visit, there's a new, thick guide to the region available free from the Caribbean Coalition for Tourism. The Caribbean Vacation Planner is rich with color photos and descriptions that succeed in giving a feel for each location and highlighting its major attractions. Call (800) 356-9999, Ext. 350. DISABLED TOURING
Sprout, a New York-based, nonprofit organization that plans and implements recreation and travel opportunities for adults with mental retardation and developmental disabilities, is offering a number of new trips for 1996. Prices are per person, double, and include all accommodations, transportation, meals, accident coverage, supervision and activities. Info: (212) 222-9575. HEY, BIG SPENDERS!
FYI: Travel and tourism is the nation's second-largest employer. The travel industry is the leading employer in 39 states.
State governments plan to spend $413 million for travel and tourism development and promotion in fiscal year 1995-96, according to the Travel Industry Association of America. The top 10 spenders (in millions):
1. Illinois $31.5
2. Hawaii $24.5
3. Texas $21.0
4. South Carolina $19.2
5. Florida $15.9
6. Pennsylvania $15.2
7. New York $15.0
8. Massachusetts $14.5
9. Virginia $13.0 (tie)
9. Louisiana $13.0 (tie)
Colorado spends the least - nothing. YOUR MONEY'S WORTH
Just because you're going to Washington doesn't mean you have to spend, spend, spend. Here's how you can save some of that money you haven't sent to the government. Seventy hotels in the D.C. area are offering special discount rates of 30 to 50 percent off rack rates (that's their highest price) from June 17 through Labor Day. Call Capitol Reservations: (800) 847-4832. MEMO: Send comments and questions to Travel-wise, The Virginian-Pilot,
Norfolk, VA. 23501-0449; phone (804) 446-2904. by CNB